There are simple answers found in "Return to life less complicated."

Washing our hands (click here) is something we do many times a day because it's a proven way to kill germs. So why are we highlighting something you already do? Because it's an effective - but often overlooked - way to reduce your exposure to toxic chemicals, especially for children. But ironically, some soaps contain chemicals you should avoid, so choosing a safer soap is important and more challenging than it should be.

Triclosan is linked to liver and inhalation toxicity. (click here) Exposure to even low levels of triclosan may disrupt thyroid function. Treatment does not remove 100 percent of the triclosan washed into wastewater, which means it ends up in lakes, rivers and water sources. That’s especially dangerous, since triclosan is very toxic to aquatic life.

DISCLAIMER: Due to public pressure, (click here) many major manufacturers have quietly begun reformulating their products without triclosan. Product formulations may change without notice. Below is a small sampling of products formulated with, or used to be formulated with triclosan and is not to be considered a comprehensive list. Remember to always refer to product labels to determine whether triclosan is contained in your product. Some retail outlets may still carry older formulations. Look out for labels that state: "antimicrobial protection." Some antibacterial soaps may use triclosan's cousin, triclocarban, in place of triclosan.

Soap: Dial® Liquid handsoap and bodywash; Tea Tree Therapy™ Liquid Soap; Clearasil® Daily Face Wash; Dermalogica® Skin Purifying Wipes; DermaKleen™ Antibacterial Lotion Soap; CVS Antibacterial Soap, Ajax Antibacterial Dishsoap, Kimcare Antibacterial Clear Soap, Bath and Body Works Antibacterial Hand Soaps, Gels and Foaming Sanitizers.

Dental Care: Colgate Total®; Breeze™ Daily Mouthwash; Reach® Antibacterial Toothbrush...

A study of a product or procedure is considered the most valid after 20 years OR if there is significant evidence of effects throughout a population of people, ie: ATZ when tested on AIDS patients.

"Ivory" bar soap has been around a long, long time. The film loop below shows some liquid soap. The complaint and worry among schools and preschools about bar soap is that it can fall to the floor and cause a slippery surface. That can be handled IF the children are using a deep soap dish and taught about that inherent danger in their environment. 

Young children need to learn academic information, but, they also need to learn LIFE SKILLS and this is a great health care class.

June 22, 2004
By Lloyd Vries

Procter & Gamble Co. (click here) is coming clean about the history behind Ivory soap, saying the product's ability to float wasn't discovered by accident.

The company has used the slogan "It floats" to promote Ivory since the 1800s. The earliest P&G advertising also emphasized Ivory's buoyancy, along with the long-standing claim that the bar soap is "99 and 44/100ths percent pure."

Although the Cincinnati-based company acknowledged that the soap floats because P&G whips air into it, it long has attributed that to a production mistake.

But an 1863 notebook entry by P&G chemist James N. Gamble may set the record straight, according to Ed Rider, the company archivist who found the document.

"I made floating soap today," Gamble wrote. "I think we'll make all of our stock that way."

Gamble, son of P&G co-founder James Gamble, had previously studied with another chemist who already knew how to make soap float, Rider discovered....